Floor rack for refrigerator cars



Feb. I, 1938. R. J. OLANDER FLOOR RACK FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed July 11, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 1, 1938, R. J. OLANDER 2,106,853

FLOOR RACK FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed July 11, 1 956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

frwerzzar .Z-Zolarzal ffllazuter Patented Feb. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Roland J. Olander, Chicago, Ill., assignor to W. H. Miner, Inc., Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Delaware Application July 11, 1936, Serial No. 90,119-

14 Claims.

This invention relates to floor racks for refrigerator cars, and more particularly to racks which are readily removable to convert the car for use for lading which does not require elevation from D the floor.

One object of the invention is to provide a fioor rack structure made up of a plurality of removable sections, so designed that the sections are positively held in position against movement when in use, to prevent accidental displacement of said sections in service.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a floor rack structure for refrigerator cars, wherein the rack is composed of separate removable sections disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the car, which sections are unattached to the car to facilitate removal thereof, spreading means for holding the sections against lateral movement toward each other to prevent accidental displacement and overlapping of said sections.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide spreading means of the character described in the preceding paragragh which is readily detachable from the rack sections to facilitate complete removal of the latter from the car.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

30 In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of my improved rack structure, illustrating the same in position in a refrigerator car, one end portion of which is indicated in dotted lines in said fig- 35 ure. Figure 2 is a broken vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 22 of Figure 1, said view being on an enlarged scale. Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, on a still further enlarged scale, of the structure at the 40 right hand end of Figure 2. Figures 4 and 5 are vertical sectional views, corresponding respectively to the lines 44 and 55 of Figure 3. Figure 6 is a top plan view of the spacing bar or spreader member shown in Figures 1 to 5 in- 45 clusive, detached from the rack structure proper. Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 3 showing another embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 88 of Figure '7. Figure 9 50 is a plan view of the spacing bar or spreader member shown in Figure '7.

In said drawings, one end portion of the body of the refrigerator car is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1. The side walls of said car are indi- 55 cated by ll0, and the end wall by H. The

transverse partition wall or bulkhead which separates the ice compartment from the remainder of the car is indicated by l2.

As is the. usual practice in refrigerator cars, my improved floor rack structure, which is indicated by A, covers the entire fioor area between the bulkheads at the opposite ends of the car.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, my improved floor rack comprises a plurality of 10 sections B-B, provided with supporting hinges C-C and spacing bars or spreader members D-D.

The floor rack A comprises a plurality of sections BB which are arranged in sets at opposite sides of the longitudinal central axis of the car, each set being composed of a plurality of separate sections, two end sections BB being shown in full in Figure 1, and the sections BB adjacent thereto being shown broken away.

Each section B comprises a plurality of transversely disposed, spaced slats I3-l3 supported by longitudinal stringers or beams I4-|4 to which they are fixed in any suitable manner.

The hinges C-C by which the rack sections B--B are swingingly supported are fixed to the outer end portions of said sections, that is, to the edge portions adjacent the side walls l0-IB of the car. As shown in the drawings, each rack section B is provided with two hinges CC, but a greater number of hinges may be employed in connection with each section if found necessary in practice. The opposed sections B--B of the two sets are of identical design, but reversely arranged end for end, and the hinges CC and CC of opposed sections are so arranged that they are in alignment transversely of the car.

Each hinge C comprises a pair of pivotally connected hinge members l5 and Hi, the member I5 being secured to the section B and the hinge member I6 resting on the floor of the car, said floor being indicated by ll. The hinge member l6 has a plate-like base portion l8 which is provided with spaced upstanding ears 19-49 of substantially triangular outline. The ears l9l9 have transversely aligned pivot pin-receiving openings 20-20 at their upper ends. As shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the base plate I8 of each hinge member I6 is provided with a pocket or seat 2| at the inner side thereof. The pocket 2| is defined by spaced side walls 22 22, spaced top and bottom walls 23 and 24, and a vertical end wall 25, as most clearly shown in Figures 3 and 5. The pocket 2| is elongated horizontally, as shown in Figure 3, and has the top wall thereof interiorly cut away or beveled at the open end of the pocket, as indicated at 26, to provide a flaring opening for said pocket.

The hinge member l5, which is fixed to the rack section B comprises two platelike sections 21 and 28, disposed at right angles to each other, and a vertical web member 29 perpendicular to said plate sections. The web member 29 is disposed centrally of the hinge member l and is preferably formed integral with 'said platelike sections thereof. The platelike section 21 is secured to the outer face of the outermost stringer M of the rack section B, and the platelike section 28 is secured to the underside of the projecting portion of one of theslats l3 ofsaid rack, as most clearly shown .in Figures Band 5.

Although any well-known securing means may be employed for this purpose, the plate section 21 is secured to the stringer l4 preferably by bolts, and the plate section 28 is secured-to. the slat I3 preferably by screws. As shown in Figure 3, the lower'edge of the web 29 is inclined upwardly away from the plate section 28. The web 29 is embraced'by the'spaced ears I9ifi of the hinge member 16v and has a pivot pin opening therethrough in alignmentwith the pinreceiving openings of the ears I9|9. The hinge members I5 and 16" are pivotally connected by means of a hinge'pinifll, preferably in the form of a bolt extending through the hinge pin-receiving openings of the web 29 and the hinge ears l9-|9 of said hinge members. i

In order to minimize lateral shifting of the hinges, the base plate I8 of themember' l6, of each hinge C is preferably provided with a pair of depending prongs or teeth 3I3l, which are adapted to dig into the floor ll, as shown in Figure5. I

The spacing bars D ''D are all of' the same design, one such bar being employed in connection with each set of transversely aligned hinges ofv the opposed sections B'*-B of the two sets of rack'sections. Each spacing bar D is'in the form of a metal bar of such thickness as'to possess a certain amount of flexibility so" that it may be bowed upwardly The bar D, as shown most clearly in Figures '4 and 5, is'of convex or'arched cross'section, and is reduced inwidth at its opposite ends to provide tongues as indicated at 32-4112, fitting the pockets or seats 2l2'| of the transversely aligned hinge members CC of the opposed sections B'-B of therack. 'The reduced portions which form the tongues provide shoulders 3333 at theinner ends of the tongues which abut the inner edges of the platelike base portions I8--l8 of the hinge members l6l6 of the hinges C-C', and said tongues are of such a length that the outer ends thereof abut the end walls 25-25 of the pockets 2 l'-"2l. The bars DDv are of such a length and are so proportioned that the shoulders 33--33"and "3333 and'the outer ends of the tongues 32'32 thereof hold the hinges CC of the opposed sections B- B of the rack spaced apart the proper distance to positively maintain the opposed sections of the rack spaced the'proper distance apart and prevent overlapping of the same. In addition to maintaining the opposed sections of the rack against lateral inward movement'toward each other, the spacing bars D 'D also prevent upward rocking or tilting of the base portions of the hinge members IB-t-IEof the hinges CC when the rack sections are iswung upwardly about their pivotal connections, the outer ends of the. bars pressing downwardly on the inwardly extending bottom walls 24-24 of the pockets or seats 2|2I of the hinge members |6-|6, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, to oppose such rocking action.

In removing the rack structure from the car, the opposed sections B-B thereof are first swung upwardly about the pivots of their hinges toward the opposite sides of the car to give access to the spacing bars D-D. The central portion of each bar is then raised, thus bowing the bar upwardly and withdrawing the ends thereof from the sockets or seats 2I--2l of the corresponding hinges CC. After the bars have been thus detached they are removed from the car, and the individual rack sections which have been released or unlocked by detaching the bars therefrom are also removed.

In placing the rack structure within the car, the opposed sections B-B of the rack are arranged in the proper position and the individual rack sections of the two opposed sets are swung upwardly into vertical position against the respective side walls Iii-Ii] of the car. The spacing bars CC are then assembled with the rack structure, each bar being bowed upwardly between its ends to shorten the distance between said ends to permit entering the tongues 3232 thereof within the seats or pockets 2|-2l of the hinges CC. After properly aligning the bar with the seats 2!2l of a pair of transversely aligned hinges CC of the two opposed sections B-B of the two sets of rack sections, the bowed bar is flattened out by permitting the same to collapse, thereby lengthening the distance between the ends of the bar and engaging said ends in the pockets or seats 2 l-Zl.

As will be evident, the beveled arrangement of the top walls of the sockets of the hinges C--C facilitates easy entrance and removal of the ends of the bar by providing the proper clearance while said bar is bent or arched upwardly in applying or removing the same.

After the bars have been assembled with the hinges of the rack sections, the sections are swung downwardly to their horizontal position on the floor of the car. In order to provide clearance for the bars D--D so that the stringers l4l4 of the rack structure are seated firmly on the floor of the car, the underneath side of each stringer is recessed at the zones where it overlies the bars D-D. This arrangement is clearly illustrated in Figure 4, wherein the recess for the stringer I4 is indicated by 34. The depth of the recess 34 is such as to provide only slight clearance so that the top wall of the same will act as a stop member to restrict upward bowing of the bar D when the rack is in use with the sections thereof resting in horizontal position on the car floor.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7, 8, and 9, a substantially flat spacing bar or spreading member is employed to hold the hinge members of the opposed rack sections of the two sets in position, the remaining parts of the rack structure and the hinges thereof being identical with the corresponding parts hereinbefore described and being indicated by the same reference characters.

The spacing bar or spreading member shown in Figures '7, 8, and 9, which is indicated by E, has a tongue 35 at each end thereof which fits in the seat or socket 2! of the hinge section I6 of the corresponding hinge C and the end of said tongue abuts the end wall 25 of said seat in a manner similar to the tongue 32 of the bar D hereinbefore described. The tongue 35 is narrower than the main body portion of the bar E and the adjacent connecting portion of said bar is inclined upwardly, as indicated at 36. The section 36 of the bar E is of the same width as the main body portion of said bar. The side edges of said section 36 are bent downwardly.

at an angle, as indicated at 3131, thereby providing stop shoulders 3838 which engage the inner edge of the base plate'lB of the hinge section [6 of the hinge C in a manner similar to the shoulders 3333 of the bar D hereinbefore described. The operations of assembling the bar E with the rack structure and detaching the same therefrom are the same as those hereinbefore described in connection with the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerator car having spaced opposed walls and a floor, the combination with a longitudinally divided, sectional floor rack covering said fioor, said floor rack fitting between said walls; of means for pivotally supporting said sections for swinging movement at said walls; removable spreading means extending transversely of said sectional rack and interposed between said pivot means in shouldered engagement with the latter for holding said sections against relative movement toward each other in a transverse direction.

2. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a floor rack, said floor rack comprising two sets of opposed floor rack sections, the sections of each set being separable from each other; of spreading means disposed transversely of the car, said spreading means being detachably connected to opposed sections of the racks of said sets; and means on said opposed rack sections with which said spreading means has shouldered engagement for holding said rack sections against relative lateral approach.

3. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a floor rack structure including separable opposed rack sections at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the car; of hinges for pivotally supporting said rack sections, said hinges being arranged in transversely aligned sets, one hinge of each set being connected to the outer side of the rack section at one side of the car, and the other hinge being connected to the outer side of the opposed rack section at the other side of the car; and transverse spreading bars, each bar having shouldered engagement with the hinges of one of said transversely aligned sets for holding said hinges and the rack sections connected thereto against relative approach laterally of the car.

4. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a removable floor rack structure including opposed rack sections at opposite sides of the bar; of hinges connected to said rack sections for pivotally supporting the same, said hinges of said opposed sections being arranged in transversely aligned sets; and a transversely disposed spreading bar for each opposed set of hinges, said spreading bar having shouldered engagement with said hinges to hold the latter against lateral movement toward each other transversely of the car.

5. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a removable floor rack structure including opposed rack sections at opposite sides of the car; of hinges at opposite sides of said rack structure for pivotally supporting said rack sections thereof, said hinges being arranged in transversely aligned sets, said hinges of each set being respectively secured to said opposed rack sections; and means for holding said opposed rack sections against relative lateral approach including a looking bar for each set of hinges, said locking bar being disposed transversely of said rack sections and having shouldered engagement at opposite ends with the respective hinges of said sets to hold said hinges against movement toward .each

other. 6. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a removable'floor rack structure including opposed sections arranged transversely of the car; of a hinge at the outer side of each section for pivotally supporting said section, the hinges of said sections being in alignment transversely of the car, each hinge comprising a pair of pivotally connected hinge members, one of said hinge members of said pair being fixed to the corresponding rack section, and the other member of said pair having an abutment shoulder; and a transverse locking bar interposed between said aligned hinges and having shouldered engagement at opposite ends with said shouldered hinge members of said transversely aligned hinges.

7. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a removable floor rack structure including opposed sections arranged transversely of the car; of a hinge at the outer side of each of said opposed rack sections for pivotally supporting the same, said hinges being in alignment transversely of the car, each hinge including a supporting member and a member fixed to the rack section, said hinge members being pivotally connected, each of said supporting hinge members having a seat; and a locking bar interposed between said hinges and having its opposite ends engaged in said seats.

8. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a removable floor rack structure including transversely aligned opposed sections; of a pair of transversely aligned hinges pivotally supporting said sections, each of said hinges including a pocketed hinge base member and a cooperating hinge member pivotally connected thereto, said last named hinge member being fixed to the cor responding rack section; and a flexible spreading bar interposed between the hinges of said pair, said bar having its opposite ends seated in the pockets of the base members of said hinges respectively.

9. In a removable floor rack structure for refrigerator cars, comprising opposed aligned rack sections, the combination with opposed aligned hinges on said sections respectively, each hinge including a base member and a cooperating member secured to the corresponding rack section and pivoted to said base member, said base members of said opposed aligned hinges having opposed aligned seats; of a removable locking bar interposed between said aligned hinges, said bar having tongues at opposite ends engaged in said seats respectively.

10. In a removable floor rack structure for refrigerator cars, comprising opposed aligned rack sections, the combination with opposed aligned hinges on said sections respectively, each hinge 75 including a base member anda cooperating member secured to the corresponding rack section and pivoted to said base member, said base members of said opposed aligned hinges having opposed aligned seats; of a bendable locking bar interposed between said aligned hinges, said bar having tongues at opposite ends in looking engagement with said seats respectively, said bar being bendable upwardly between its ends to arch said bar and Withdraw said tongues from said seats. 7

11. Ina refrigerator car, the combination with a removable floor rack structure including opposed sections arranged transversely of the car; of a hinge at the outer side of each of said opposed sections for pivotally supporting the same, said hinges being in alignment transversely of the car, each hinge including a supporting hinge member and a cooperating hinge member pivoted thereto-and fixed to the corresponding rack section, each of said supporting hinge members having an inwardly directed seat; and a locking bar underlying said rack sections and interposed between said hinges in shouldered engagement with said seats to hold said sections against relative movement toward each other, said bar being held in position against upward displacement by the overlying rack sections of said rack structure. Y

12. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a removable floor rack structure including opposed rack sections at opposite sides of the car; of supporting members at opposite sides of the car to which said rack sections are pivoted, said supporting members of said opposed sections being arranged in. transverse alignment; and a transversely disposed spreading bar underlying the sections of said rack structure and held depressed by said sections when the latter are-in overlying relation with respect to the fioor, said bar having shouldered engagement at opposite ends with said supporting members to hold the latter and the rack sections against lateral movement toward each other transversely of the car.

supporting members having base portions resting flatly on the floor of the car; and a trans,- versely disposed bar underlying said sections of said rack structure and having the opposite end portions thereof overlying and resting upon said base portions of the supporting members to hold the latter against tilting.

14. In a refrigerator car, the combination with a removable floor rack structure including opposed rack sections at opposite sides of the car; of supporting hinges at opposite sides of the car pivotally supporting said rack sections, said hinges having base portions resting flatly upon the floor of the car; and a transversely disposed bar underlying said sections of the rack structure with the ends thereof overlying portions of said base portions of said hinges to restrain said base portions against tilting on the floor, said hinges having shoulders thereon engaging the opposite extremities of said bar to hold said opposed hinges and the connected opposed rack sections against bodily displacement toward each other laterally of the car.

ROLAND J. OLANDER. 

